Sunset at the Beach Pastel 18x24

'Last Light' 18x24 pastel

I have painted this scene before in a different size. I love the feeling of the last of the late afternoon light on the beach. It happened to be a chilly Autumn day and as soon as the sun went down the beach became very chilly. It was a beautiful sight though! I have a few more larger paintings that I didn't get to showcase in June so I will show them throughout July mixed in with some brand work. I finally have gotten some studio time and I am making the most of it!

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Grand Teton Practice Painting

Tonight my fellow travelers got together and worked on packing our small plein air boxes. I wanted to see what I could do with a small set so I did a quick study from a Grand Teton photo using only the Richard McKinley Great American Landscape set. I have a set that I broke into thirds in this small cigar box. I think it will work just fine for my trip. The study is 8x10 on UArt.

Follow our Adventure on my New Travel Blog

It is almost time for my trip out west and I am getting packed! There are eight of us meeting out in Jackson Hole in July and we had our official trip meeting tonight to go over the details. Oh we are going to have so much fun! After the meeting we talked about packing for plein air and we put together our smaller travel pastel boxes. In the photo you can see the bag I am bringing. It holds all of my supplies. The little green bag is my 'extreme' pastel bag. I am planning on doing a daily sketchbook so this little bag holds sketching supplies, small watercolor set and a small pastel box. I have to pack light so that I can also have room for my camera equipment.

If you would like to follow along with our adventure, I'd love for you to follow our trip blog on travelpod. I will be posting photos and stories each day and you can follow our route on the map.

Here is the link:

Travel Blog: Karen Margulis Paints the West

Jack Russell Terrier Pastel Painting

'Jack Russell Terrier' 16x 20 pastel

I painted this adorable little guy a couple of years ago and I just discovered it with some stored foamcore. It's amazing what you find when you go through old piles of stuff! I need to do that more often. I have been working today on trip preparations. I leave in a couple of weeks for my big road trip and tomorrow our group is getting together to go over the final details. I am so excited!

Florida Wetlands Pastel 4x6

'Florida Wetlands' 4x6 pastel

This isn't really a plein air painting, but I did paint it while on my trip to Florida in early May. It was a great trip and we toured all arounf the Forgotten Coast of Florida. I took hundreds of photos but didn't have time to do plein air. Finally on the last day, I set my pastels up outside in the breezway of the house we were staying in and I painted looking at photos on my camera screen. I guess that is semi-plein air!

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A Great Pastel Instruction Book!

What a great husband I have! He picked up this wonderful book at a garage sale today. 'Capturing Light & Color with Pastel' by Doug Dawson is actually one of my very favorite pastel books. My copy is completely dog-eared and I refer to it all the time. From what I understand it is out of print and I picked up my copy on Ebay a couple of years ago. I considered selling this copy....for a second. I love books too much to sell this beautiful hard cover copy. I do highly recommend it though so keep your eyes open at garage sales!

Sanibel Island Beach Pastel Painting

'Relaxation' 10x20 pastel

Ahhhh my favorite beach is on Sanibel Island right in front of Water's Edge Inn. I can see myself sitting under the beach umbrella with a good book. Usually though I can't sit still on Sanibel. I have to be on the hunt for shells or water birds or floating in the warm Gulf water. This painting is an unusual size for me at 10x20 but it suits the scene well. It is available for the June Large work sale price of $155. kemstudios@yahoo.com

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Mountain Meadow with Queen Annes Lace 18x24 pastel

'Mountain Meadow' 18x24 pastel

Today's painting is another large pastel. If you look closely you can see the drips of my watercolor underpainting. This painting is based on some photos I took up in the North Georgia mountains last summer. It is available as one of June's sale paintings for $235 which includes shipping. Let me know if you'd like to see additional photos! kemstudios@yahoo.com

If you'd like to see all of the large sale paintings, have a look at my slideshow here.

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Hydrangeas Pastel Painting 8x10 SOLD

'Summer Fun' 8x10 pastel

I just had fun painting these hydrangeas. We all painted from the same reference photo in class last night and it was great to see how differently we all interpreted theses flowers. Mine turned out nothing like the photo which had a more classical look with a cream color pitcher and a muted blue-grey background. I decided to add some pink and lime green and have some fun with it. I may try the classical look next.

Big Osprey Painting!

'Catch of the Day' 18x24 pastel

This happens to be one of my personal favorite paintings. I painted it a few years ago from my own photo....yes I was this close to the osprey. It was on Sanibel Island where osprey seem to be a common as gulls. You can watch them dive and catch fish all day long. Usually they would take them to nearby trees to eat but this one decided to land right at the water's edge to eat his fish while a crowd watched. He really didn't seem at all bothered by the interest. It was amazing to see my very favorite bird up close and personal.

If I had room, I would frame and keep this painting but I really would love for it to go to a good home so it is part of my June sale for $235. Let me know if you are interested. kemstudios@yahoo.com

Off to Cannon Beach Oregon!

'Ocean's Edge' 8x10 pastel

My paintings are off to Cannon Beach, not me! Although hopefully sometime in the future it will be me. My paintings have been shipped and I am now officially represented on the west coast by Primary Elements Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. I have been to Cannon Beach with my family and it is a wonderful little town on the coast. I am excited to be working with Primary Elements and look forward to getting back out to Oregon. We are talking about a possible workshop so I will keep you posted. Have a look at the gallery's website or better yet, visit them in person if you are in the area! This is one of my paintings from the Oregon coast. It is the view from Ecola State Park.

Summer Treats...Ice Cream Paintings

'Summer Treats' .... each treat is a 2.5 x 3.5 inch pastel painting

Happy Summer! I love summer and all the goodies I get to enjoy, especially ice cream! Ice cream is my weakness. If it is in the house I will eat it until it is gone. I have no self control when it comes to ice cream. Maybe I just need to paint my ice cream treats instead of eating them! Each of these little paintings are aceo size mini original pastels. They would look great matted and framed as a group. My daughter wants me to paint them BIG for her dorm room. That might be fun to do! These paintings are priced at $15 each or $45 for all four. Send me an email if you would like more information at kemstudios@yahoo.com

How About Some Poppies

Poppy Demo Painting 5x7 pastel

Another one from last week's workshop....poppies. I was demonstrating how I go about painting wildflowers without getting too precise and fussy. For poppies, I like to use big juicy strokes of pastel. I start with the darks first, then the darker brick reds. I put the brighter and more orangey reds on last. I use Terry Ludwig and Great American pastels for my poppies.

Poppy Field 18x24 Painting SOLD

'Murphy's Field' 18x24 pastel

June's Large Work Sale continues with today's painting. This field of poppies used to be the median on Highway 64 in Murphy, NC. There haven't been any poppies there the last couple of years. I guess I will have to plant my own! This painting is available for $235 which includes shipping. This is 50% off my usual price. It is time to make room in the studio for more larger paintings! To see the rest of my June sale paintings, visit my sale page.

I spent the entire day packing for my July trip. I started by just trying to organize my things but ended up with all my clothes and toiletries packed! Now all I have to do is organize and pack my art supplies. I found the coolest website that allows you to create a travel blog. If you are interested you will be able to take a virtual road trip with us through my travelogue and photos. As soon as it is up and running, I will post a link.

Close-up of a Meadow 8x10 pastel

'Summer Breeze' 8x10 pastel

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be tiny insect in the grass....what would it look like down in the grass? How would it feel to be holding onto a flower or blade of grass and sway in the summer breeze? That is what I thought about as I painted this meadow. I have some ideas for new wildflower paintings and I can't wait to get some new reference material on my July road trip!

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Price: $145 USD
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Autumn in the Lowcountry

'Autumn in the Lowcountry' 8x10 pastel

This is a scene from Edisto Island State Park in South Carolina. I spent a few days with my friends at the park in their wonderful remodeled cabins right on the marsh. We had cold and dreary weather most of the time but there was wonderful color in the marshes. I did this painting last night for my basic pastel class. We worked on simplifying our reference photos and making a value study. The goal was to use just enough details on top of the underpainting to suggest the grasses and trees of the marsh. We started painting from blurred photos so we wouldn't be tempted to put in the details too soon. I did the painting as a paint -along since we had a small group. I love painting the marsh!

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How to Paint a Daisy

Daisy Demo Painting 5x7 pastel

One of the things I did at my 2nd Wildflower workshop this past weekend was to demonstrate how I paint certain flowers such as daisies, poppies and Queen Anne's Lace. I pointed out to my students that often we have a certain symbols in our heads to represent each type of flower and that symbol prevents us from really seeing the actual shapes of the flower. As a result, our flowers often look stiff and unnatural. In this demo, I showed how daisies aren't really yellow circles surrounded by white petals (our symbol) I showed how I start with the darker colors first and gradually add the lights. If you look closely you can see that I haven't used any white in my petals.

North Georgia Wildflower Meadow

'Magical Meadow' 11x14 pastel

This magical meadow is located right off the side of the highway in the North Georgia mountains. My husband and I were on our way up for a day on the lake and we had to pull over for pictures. A couple of years ago all of the highway medians were filled with wildflowers but now there seems to only be a few areas with flowers so I took lots of photos of this little patch. I am looking forward to being up in the Colorado mountains this July. I have seen so many wonderful wildflower photos so I hope they will be at their peak when we are there!

Gallery News!

'Nantucket Field Study #3' 5x7 pastel

It's been a busy week for me with galleries which is always a good thing. I just learned that three of my paintings sold over the weekend at Bella Vista Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina. I appreciate their hard work on my behalf and now they would like more paintings! I have a meeting later this week with my local gallery Frameworks, here in Marietta to bring in some new work and I will be painting at High Country Art & Antiques in Blue Ridge, Georgia on Saturday June 26th. But perhaps the most exciting news is my new gallery representation on the west coast! I will now be represented by Primary Elements Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. I will post more about the gallery but I wanted to share the good news. I have also been asked if I would like to participate in next summer's plein air event and perhaps teach a workshop. I see a trip to the Pacific Northwest in my near future!

Tropical Palm St. Thomas USVI Painting

'Tropical Palm' 10x20 pastel

I love painting Caribbean scenes like this. Actually I love being in Caribbean scenes like this! Where is my lounge chair?? This is Magens Bay on the island of St. Thomas and it is one of June's larger work sale painting. It is available for $155 which includes shipping. Please email me for more information or to see the rest of the sale paintings, visit my sale page here.

Today's Demo Painting for my Wildflower Workshop

'Intimate View' 8x10 pastel

What a fun afternoon! I had 8 students in my studio today painting wildflowers and meadows. I did two demos and everyone painted two paintings....and did a great job too.It was fun to share some of my tips and techniques and I hope that everyone went home inspired to paint more wildflowers! I have another group coming tomorrow so I will post more photos and an update.

Mountain Wildflowers 9x12 SOLD

'Blue Ridge Clover' 9x12 pastel

I will be doing pastel painting demo at High Country Art & Antique Gallery in Blue Ridge, Georgia on Saturday June 26th. I love to paint at the gallery. It is always fun to meet people and share the magic of pastels. This painting is one of the demo paintings I did last summer. This weekend I am holding my Wildflower Workshops here at my Marietta studio. I am all set up and excited for a fun weekend of painting and teaching!

Sale Painting #2 Monhegan Island Lighthouse

'Monhegan Light' 19x27 pastel

Another one of my favorite places to visit. I've been to Monhegan Island, Maine twice but both times were before I was painting. I really want to go back with my pastels someday! I am offering this painting in my June larger work sale. It was painted a couple of years ago but it has always been one of my personal favorites. It is time for it to go to a good home! For more information on the sale and to see the other available paintings, please visit my sale page or send me an email.

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Price: $235 USD
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Painting Accepted into Metro Montage X Exhibition!

I wanted to share my good news. My painting 'Dance of the Wildflowers' has been accepted into the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art's Metro Montage X. The opening reception is on Saturday July 10 from 6-8pm at the museum. I'd love to see you there if you are in the area!

Bowl of Cherries 5x7 Pastel Painting

'Summer Treat' 5x7 pastel

I was snacking on some nice and sweet cherries today and thought they would be fun to paint. I love any chance to use my red pastels. I used LaCarte pastel card for this painting. I find it to be my favorite surface for food paintings!

Windswept Meadows Pastel 8x10

'Windswept Meadows' 8x10 pastel

I just finished this painting and it makes me wish I had a trip planned to Nantucket this summer. It is such a beautiful island and I so enjoyed visiting family the last two summers. This summer I am headed out west though...a three week roadtrip out to Wyoming! We will be in Crested Butte Colorado in time for the Wildflower Festival so you can imagine how excited I am about that! I am planning something special for my blog while I am away so that you all can travel with me! Stay tuned for more information.

If you are in the Atlanta area, I have a couple of opening in this Sunday's Wildflower Workshop...please email me if you would like more information or to register.

Star Thistle Wildflower Painting 18x24

'Star Thistle' 18x24 pastel

This painting is one of my first larger wildflower paintings. I was fascinated by the seed pods and how sharp they looked. The flowers in this painting are larger than life which makes it quite striking. I am offering it for a discounted price of $225 plus $10 for shipping in my June Large Painting sale. If you would like to see all of the sale paintings, click on the 'sale' tab at the top of the page or look at the slide show in the post below.

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Price: $235 USD
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I am making room in the studio for some new larger paintings so I am offering a few of my favorite larger works for sale during the month of June. The paintings are priced at least 50% off retail. I will be showcasing the paintings on my blog this month but if you would like more information or would like to purchase a painting, please send me an email at kemstudios@yahoo.com

Spring Plein Air Landscape

'Edge of the Forest' 5x7 pastel

Today I am sharing a plein air paintng I did this past spring up in Blue Ridge Georgia. I was participating in the Spring Paint Out and this was done on the first day. I am planning on getting back into the studio to paint tomorrow....this has been the longest I have gone without painting in awhile and I am anxious to get dusty.

Summer Daisies Pastel Painting

'Summer Daisies' 5x7 pastel

Let me try this again. I tried to post this painting while I was on vacation but I neglected to attach it to the email post. This is one of the little paintings I did at the recent Duane Wakeham workshop. I haven't really painted since then and I am anxious to get back into the studio....Monday. Tomorrow we head up to the lake. I am hoping to get some Queen Anne's Lace photos. I see some blooming on our roadsides and I am ready for new material!

Morning Fog, Nantucket

Back to Nantucket for this 5x7 pastel study. I was happy to see the fog one morning last summer. It gave such atmosphere to the landscape that I love to paint. Of course it was nice when it burned off so we could then enjoy a day at the beach!


I am back from a wonderful cruise with my daughter. It was totally relaxing. I read two books and would you believe I didn't even paint! I didn't even bring my pastels! I think I will take one more day to catch up and unpack and then I am back to the dusty side! I want to apologize to my readers for two days with no images. I was posting by email and it seems I forgot to attach the pictures! I am back to normal posting now so thank you for letting me know something wasn't working!

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Price: $75 USD
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